Macron pledges to ‘do better’ amid yellow vests protests

Embattled French leader Emmanuel Macron has pledged that his government is willing to do better in his highly-anticipated New Year’s Eve address.

Macron made the pledge to improve the lives of the country’s citizens as “yellow vest” protesters again took to the streets in parts of the country.

“We can do better and must do better,” Macron said in a 16-minute televised speech from the Elysee palace on Monday.

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However, Macron urged his compatriots to “accept the reality” that increased public spending was not the answer to their problems.

“In recent years, we’ve engaged in a blatant denial of reality,” Macron said in the address, delivered – unusually – from a standing position. “We can’t work less, earn more, cut taxes and increase spending.”

Macron’s speech comes six weeks after anti-government demonstrations against his government over rising diesel tax started.

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